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Japan's Cabinet cleared a proposal to form a nuclear regulatory agency within the Environment Ministry. The agency will combine the Nuclear Safety Commission, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency and related duties overseen by the science ministry. Having those responsibilities catered by one agency will "improve" nuclear regulation and safety, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.

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Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency did not use or release detailed radiation estimates shared by the U.S. in the early stages of the Fukushima Daiichi incident, officials said. The agency also failed to apply the measurements during evacuations. "It is extremely regrettable that the government did not appropriately share or use the information, and I feel remorse toward the victims," said Japanese Trade Minister Yukio Edano.

It may take some time before a number of Fukushima Daiichi evacuees are allowed to return to their homes because of radiation concerns, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. Radiation gathered at 22 sites within approximately 12 miles of the facility would increase to more than 100 millisieverts annually, according to estimates from Japan's education and science ministry. "We cannot deny a possibility that some of the residents may not be able to return to their homes for a long time in some areas despite our decontamination efforts," Edano said.

Japan's Cabinet next week is expected to approve the creation of a new nuclear regulatory body under the Environment Ministry, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. This will allow the agency, which was previously under the trade ministry, to become more independent, officials said. "Environment and nuclear issues have a certain affinity for each other," Edano said.

Japan's reactors will undergo a new series of stress tests, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. "In addition to the existing mechanism, we have decided to introduce a safety evaluation based on new procedures and rules," Edano said.

Japan will need to review the country's nuclear policy in the wake of the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. "Considering the damage from this accident, there is no doubt we are moving toward making renewable-energy sources a pillar," Edano said.